Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Northwestern College women's soccer team scored early and often on Saturday, racking up eight goals in its victory over Martin Luther College. The Eagles were helped in a large way by Francie Piche (East Grand Forks, Minn./East Grand Forks), who had a hand in seven of the team's eight goals scored.

NWC did not waste any time getting on the board, as Piche found Lindsay Halvorson (Elk River, Minn./Elk River) to put the home team up 1-0 just 3:09 into the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) matchup. Less than 1:30 later, Susan Delain (Andover, Minn./Meadow Creek Christian) found the back of the net for the first time this year courtesy of another Piche assist, putting the Eagles up 2-0 in the first five minutes of play. Northwestern continued its scoring run as Lauren Cleope (Manila, Philippines/Faith Academy) scored off of a Heidi Anderson (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Walnut Ridge Academy) dish to put the Eagles up 3-0 at the 10:14 mark.

Following the onslaught of goals, Martin Luther was able to slow down the Purple and Gold's offense and converted a scoring opportunity of its own with just under 13 minutes remaining in the first period, cutting NWC's lead by a third. The Eagles were quick to respond, however, and Sarah Gerten (Excelsior, Minn./Southwest Christian) netted a goal of her own after a Piche pass 4:44 after the Knights got on the Mounds View High School scoreboard.

The second half started much the same as the first with another Northwestern quick scoring run. Once again, Piche was credited with an assist as Cleope got the ball past the Martin Luther goalkeeper for the second time in the afternoon, 1:35 into the second period, increasing the team's lead to 5-1. The home team on the scoreboard was not finished with its offensive rallies and less than five minutes later Delain notched her second goal of the both the season and game while Piche picked up an additional point on the assist.

The Eagles' continued to pressure the Martin Luther end of the turf and posted another pair of scoring opportunities before time ran out. Rebekah Carrizales (Anoka, Minn./PACT Charter School) picked up the seventh NWC goal from the final Piche assist, while soon after, Piche picked up goal of her own after her shot made it through the Knight's defense. 

Piche finished with six total assists in Saturday's win, which doubled the previous program record of three in a single game.

With the victory, Northwestern (7-8-1, 6-4-1 UMAC) clinched a berth into the UMAC post-season tournament and will participate in the opening round of  championship play on Tuesday, October 30 following next weekend's regular season finale.

After a week of practice, the Eagles will host Crown College next Friday, October 26 in a 3:30 p.m. home kickoff at Reynolds Field.